10 NBA Stars Who Will Benefit Most from a New Team
Change is often a blessed and wondrous thing, as these 10 NBA players will soon become aware. Whether because they've moved on to more talented teams, less challenging conferences or better suited systems, guys such as the Cleveland Cavaliers' Mo Williams and the Milwaukee Bucks' Greg Monroe have found themselves in better circumstances following 2015's squad swap.
Negative consequences are not unavoidable, however, and the backlash of the moves were evaluated equally with the good in deciding just who best benefited from new surroundings.
So, who's getting the last laugh at year's end? Check it out!
Honorable Mention: LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs
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Former Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Move Advantage:
Aldridge went from facing a journey of improbable success through the treacherous landscape of the Western Conference to banging on the gates to a Finals berth with one simple decision—joining up with the seemingly perpetual championship-contending San Antonio Spurs.
Move Drawback:
Part of what makes the dynasty so successful, however, is their fundamental, team basketball mentality. Alrdridge is a tremendous piece of the post-Tim Duncan Spurs to be certain, but this season will undoubtedly find the All-Star's flashy statistics taking a dip (or a skydive).
Bottom Line:
Aldridge is no longer the big dog in town, but when that town is San Antonio, does it even matter?
10. David Lee, Boston Celtics
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Former Team: Golden State Warriors
Move Advantage:
David Lee, by far the most seasoned player on an emerging Celtics team, should be a starter. The two-time All-Star has been benched as a result of a shooting funk, but he still has plenty more to offer. Unlike on his previous squad, he has the chance to be a crucial part of what Boston hopes is a return trip to the playoffs.
Move Drawback:
Not playing for the Golden State Warriors. Simple as that. It's a pretty sizable drawback, considering that Lee now boasts a pretty nice piece of jewelry because of his contributions to the team (which, by the way, is picking up exactly where it left off).
Bottom Line:
While Lee now finds himself in a much smaller pond, he's a big fish in Boston—the most credentialed player on the team. The C's may not yet be at the top of their conference, but at least the competition they'll face will be significantly less stiff.
9. Jeremy Lin, Charlotte Hornets
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Former Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Move Advantage:
In leaving LA, Jeremy Lin not only escaped the Western Conference but also the bright-light big-market exposure he's been examined under for much of his career. Surrounded by under-stated talent like Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson in a low-key environment such as Charlotte, he can finally shed "Linsanity" and embrace an impactful bench role he can thrive in.
Move Drawback:
With fellow guard Jeremy Lamb signing an extension with the Hornets, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, Lin may soon find himself outside looking in (and possibly on another team). Even if he does stay in Charlotte, his already limited minutes may be dwindling, despite his high productivity.
Bottom Line:
Lin has the chance to quietly put in real work with Charlotte and even score a playoff berth, but it remains to be seen if the Hornets think he's more valuable on their roster or as a trade chip.
8. Lance Stephenson, Los Angeles Clippers
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Former Team: Charlotte Hornets
Move Advantage:
Given his poor performance last season coming off the bench for the Hornets, Stephenson should thank his lucky stars he's landed a starting role on one of the Western Conference's premier teams. In LA, he'll be surrounded by quality talent and be used as a high-energy spark—a formula that's been proven to be successful for him as evidenced by his productive seasons in Indiana.
Move Drawback:
Standards will be much higher for Stephenson whose antics often get in the way of his explosive abilities. Fitting into a system which boasts the trio of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, who are all very familiar with one another, could be tricky. In fact, ensuring that he stays out of their way might be the more difficult and crucial task.
Bottom Line:
Stephenson climbed a long way up in the span of a summer, but this may very well be his final shot at making use of his talents. If he does more harm than good, his fall from Doc Rivers' grace will be far and fast.
7. Deron Williams, Dallas Mavericks
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Former Team: Brooklyn Nets
Move Advantage:
The best thing a down player can do is get a fresh start—period. This three-time All-Star has been on the decline in recent years, but the talent that lofted him to that status is undeniably still there. Now back in his hometown, Deron Williams will be able to settle down and find his comfort zone again, this time on a squad that's consistently in the postseason mix (and not because the rest of its conference was a mess).
Move Drawback:
There may be no tougher position in the Western Conference than point guard, and Williams will not find it easy to defend all those electrifying, young players at an injury-prone 31 years of age. Expectations will be just as challenging as the competition. A year removed from a quick playoff exit, Dallas will look to improve, capitalizing on Dirk Nowitzki's waning years.
Bottom Line:
After the debacle with Rajon Rondo, the Mavericks, fairly desperate for some consistency at the floor general position, took a gamble on Williams. While his predecessor set the bar low, the former Net will still feel the pressure to perform in order to avoid falling into the same category.
6. Rajon Rondo, Sacramento Kings
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Former Team: Dallas Mavericks
Move Advantage:
The greatest thing for Rondo is he's now in an environment where he's wanted. He can sufficiently put last season behind him and make real contributions alongside talent like DeMarcus Cousins, Rudy Gay and now rookie Willie Cauley-Stein. Expectations will be somewhat lower in Sacramento than the pressure he felt to step in and deliver for a perennial playoff team in Dallas—the still proficient point guard will have time to mesh with the Kings and grow with them rather than just being tossed into an already established mix.
Move Drawback:
Is this the place where Rondo finally learns to play nice? Technically speaking, the Kings could be regarded as a step down from where the point guard was previously. The Western Conference certainly boasts bigger challenges than those he faced in the East, but the greatest thing that Rondo will have to overcome is his (perceived) attitude.
Bottom Line:
Rondo will get a fresh start he needs at scrubbing the low-effort image he garnered in Dallas while playing alongside one of the NBA's brightest young talents.
5. Tyson Chandler, Phoenix Suns
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Former Team: Dallas Mavericks
Move Advantage:
Tyson Chandler was back on his championship Mavs squad...until he wasn't. According to CBS Sport's James Herbert, being kicked to the curb in favor of a chance at DeAndre Jordan over the summer has not sat too well with him. Revenge coupled with a fresh start is just the thing that could catapult the Suns back into the mix they were in two seasons ago. Most importantly, Phoenix pursued Chandler with a deep need for veteran leadership and help on interior defense. The center should be a plug-and-play in a role custom-built for him.
Move Drawback:
The Suns, despite all of their pieces, still lack true star power and are, from a playoff contention standpoint, a decline for Chandler. On top of that, their young, small lineup will likely leave a lot of paint-defending responsibilities on 33-year-old Chandler's shoulders.
Bottom Line:
On the later side of his career, Chandler is taking on a leadership role and building a young Suns team up for the future. In the meantime, however, he'll still have plenty of opportunities as the gritty paint patrol.
4. Ty Lawson, Houston Rockets
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Former Team: Denver Nuggets
Move Advantage:
The Houston Rockets came this close to making the Finals a season ago, in large part because they lacked a healthy, talented starting point guard. Insert Ty Lawson. Playing alongside 2015's MVP runner-up and a dominant big man in Dwight Howard, Lawson won't be forced to carry the team scoring-wise as he did in Denver. He just has to worry about doing what he does (and dishing to one of the league's premier talents in James Harden).
Move Drawback:
Chemistry was a suspected area of concern for Lawson coming into an already well-established team, and the adjustment period thus far has proven speculation correct. Like most major transitions, it will take some time before he's truly meshed in and not completely feeling like he's getting in Harden's way.
Bottom Line:
Lawson now finds himself starting for a Western Conference perennial contender on a team full of complementary talent he can finally rely on.
3. Mo Williams, Cleveland Cavaliers
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Former Team: Charlotte Hornets
Move Advantage:
Chemistry will not be an issue for this Cavalier in his return to the Land. Not only is Mo Williams entering a seriously improved title-contending situation, he's already plenty familiar with squad staples like the King and "Wild Thing" Anderson Varejao. He'll also enjoy a starting role for the foreseeable future, dishing to the kind of talent that doesn't need someone to create a shot for them and enjoying being entrusted to fire at will.
Move Drawback:
The likelihood of him dropping 52 points is slim? He has to wear a mustard-ketchup color combo? Williams is really losing nothing here. Even as an eventual member of the relief crew, he can find a way to pad the stats sheet with double-digit scoring.
Bottom Line:
Until Kyrie Irving returns, Williams is the starting point guard on one of the league's best teams and Eastern Conference front-runners. Once Irving comes back, Williams will still be a crucial part of a much-improved bench rotation.
2. Greg Monroe, Milwaukee Bucks
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Former Team: Detroit Pistons
Move Advantage:
No longer will Greg Monroe be competing for frontcourt supremacy with players like Andre Drummond—in Milwaukee he'll be encouraged to be a bona fide paint-monger. This young Bucks squad on the rise is soon to be in full-force attack mode and, unlike in Detroit, Monroe can expect to get more than just a sniff out of the postseason; Milwaukee is poised to take a giant bite.
Move Drawback:
While Monroe will be undoubtedly the Buck's prized center, he may at times be left out to dry when it comes time to the defensive glass. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a tremendous player, but when slotted at the power forward position, it gives Milwaukee a small-ball look.
Bottom Line:
Monroe has garnered both a better squad and the room to flex (with a side of extra responsibility), but he'll take the veggies if it means he gets seconds of everything else.
1. DeMarre Carroll, Toronto Raptors
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Former Team: Atlanta Hawks
Move Advantage:
The only non-All-Star starter of the Atlanta Hawks leaves in free agency and beats his former team in the playoffs? It could happen. He's no longer going to be under anyone's shadow and is being given the room to operate in his aggressive, gritty style.
Move Drawback:
Carroll really thrived in the team-basketball system of Atlanta. Although he has some quality teammates such as Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, Carroll will still be asked to step up his play. It will be a test to see if he is able to do so without a cast entirely comprised of All-Star teammates.
Bottom Line:
Carroll left Atlanta at the right time, turning to a Raptors team that unexpectedly made some noise with their cast a season ago. Helping the Raptors get off to a 5-1 start, the forward may prove to be the missing piece to a run in the wide-open East.
